TCI News
TCI: Mental Health in Adolescents
#Providenciales, April 3, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity…”. Mental health, specifically, is defined as not just the absence of a mental disorders but a state of well-being in which a person realizes their own abilities, is able to cope with life’s normal stresses, is able to work regularly and productively and is able to contribute to society. Good mental health is therefore the foundation for an individual’s and a community’s effective functioning and well-being. It is therefore critical to ensure the sound mental health of each individual beginning from childhood and throughout the lifespan. Hence as a society it is our duty and obligation to nurture and maintain the mental health of everyone, especially our children and adolescents. For the purpose of this article we will focus on adolescents.
Adolescence is defined as the developmental stage between ages 11 and 19/20 and is a time of great hormonal storms, decisions, pressures, identity formation, learning and personality formation. While many adolescents have good mental health, multiple physical, emotional and social changes, along with various risk factors (see beneath) can all make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. These factors can also determine the mental health of an individual into their adult life. This stage of life is also the time to develop healthy physical, emotional and social habits to secure one’s mental health and some of these positive habits will be discussed later.
Let’s review the statistics, according to the WHO:
- Of the world population 1 in every 6 persons is aged 10 to 19.
- 16% of the burden of disease & injury in the 10 to 19 age group is due to mental illness
- 50% of all mental health conditions start at age 14 but are largely undiagnosed or undetected, largely due to lack of knowledge, awareness and stigmatization.
- Globally depression is a leading cause of disability and illness among adolescents and the 9th leading cause of overall illness in that age group, with anxiety being the 8th leading cause.
- At its worse, depression can result in suicide and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide among 15-19 year olds.
- Failure to address mental conditions in adolescence unavoidably results in physical and mental challenges in adulthood and consequently limits the ability to lead fulfilling lives.
- Childhood behavioral disorders are the 6th leading cause of disease burden among adolescents. Such disorders affect academic performance and usually lead to delinquency.
- Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder normally emerge in adolescence and often co-exist with depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse.
- Mental health issues account for self-harm in adolescents and in 2016, approximately 62,000 adolescents died globally from self-harm.
- In 2016, interpersonal crime was the 2nd leading cause of death among older adolescent males.
Risk factors:
Some of the risk factors which predispose adolescents to mental illness include but are not limited to:
- Poverty and lack of opportunities, educational and otherwise.
- Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, with special emphasis on sexual abuse.
- Parental neglect, abandonment, and incest.
- Violence and trauma at home and in the community.
- Harsh parenting and bullying.
- The stresses & struggle of identity formation as one fights for autonomy.
- Peer pressure to conform and experiment with different trends.
- Exploration of their sexual identity and sexual orientation.
- The extensive & inappropriate exposure to social media and technology.
- The disparity between their actual life and their perceptions/aspirations of the future.
- The quality of life at home and with their peers.
- Adolescents who belong to minority groups, are stigmatized or due to discrimination or exclusion.
- Chronic illness, developmental disorders, and disabilities.
- Teenage pregnancy and/or abortions, teenage parents, and those in early life marriages.
- Orphans.
- Exposure to alcohol and drug use at an early age.
- Genetic factors (hereditary traits of mental illness).
- Poor coping mechanisms and lack of social support systems.
Types of mental illness among adolescents:
While the array of mental health conditions is wide and varied, just a few common ones will be highlighted for the purpose of bringing greater awareness.
- Emotional disorders e.g. depression, anxiety, along with excessive irritability, frustration or anger and mood swings. These can also lead to clinical depression and bipolar disorder.
- Emotionally related physical symptoms e.g. stomach aches, headaches, nausea, acne.
- Behavioral disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, ADHD, and disruptive behavioral disorder.
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder which are also linked to body dysmorphic disorder.
- Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia in it’s different forms.
- Dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder (also called multiple personality disorder) and depersonalization disorder.
- Suicide and self-harm.
- High risk behaviors e.g. drug use, promiscuity & unprotected sex, indulging in violent behaviors.
These conditions are chronic, long term conditions which can be controlled with medication, psychotherapy, and sound, consistent social support systems in the form of family, friends, mental health professionals, church and community. Once clients comply with their medication regimes and counseling and there is good support then the possibility of patients living a relatively functional life is high. Therefore, it is prudent to adopt the proactive approach in choosing prevention rather than cure when addressing mental illness, and being aware of the various risk factors empowers us to do so.
How do we nurture mental health in adolescents?
- Establishing healthy, regular sleep patterns as well as healthy daily routines for them.
- Providing a healthy diet and regular exercise for them
- Developing adaptive coping mechanisms; these should be taught/modeled by responsible caring adults. Teens look towards the adults in their life for guidance hence we must set the tone for behaviors if we wish to see them emulated.
- Teaching them how to develop good decision making skills. The decision making center of the brain does not fully develop until age 25, therefore it is crucial that we support our teens in their decision making.
- Developing healthy interpersonal relationships with everyone in their circle.
- Nurturing a healthy self-concept, with good self-esteem and self-worth.
- Teaching them to understand, appreciate, embrace and most importantly manage their emotions.
- Providing a happy, healthy home for them free of violence, abuse, aggression and anger.
- Remaining open and available for them to talk and share whatever they may need to.
- Spending quality time with them while you engage in healthy joint activities.
- Providing discipline in a way which they can understand and discuss and also setting boundaries for them to operate within.
- Remaining aware and interested in their life events, friendships, academic performance, and choices.
- Speaking positively into their lives and future and helping them plan for their future.
- Praising them for their efforts and accomplishments despite how seemingly small it may be; teens need to be encouraged especially by those they hold in high regard.
- Being a reliable, responsible, dependable model to them in every way.
- Giving them opportunities to develop autonomy and think for themselves so that they can differentiate as healthy individuals and not feel or remain overly dependent on others.
- Treating them with respect; speaking with them and not with negativity and condescension.
- Ensuring regular medical checkups and observing your teen for changes and challenges they may be experiencing.
- Placing realistic expectations on them and not making unreasonable demands. Each teen is unique with their own competencies and capabilities and therefore they should not be compared to others. Comparison brings unnecessary pressure, frustration, and discontent as teens often struggle to meet unrealistic and unfair expectations set by the adults in their lives.
Remember our adolescents are the next generation of tomorrows world, the leaders, the innovators, the decision makers and the parents of another generation. It is therefore in the best interest of all society to nurture, maintain and preserve the mental health of this precious generation with the hope that they will be given the best chance for a bright and productive future and that they will do the same for those to come after them.
Therefore, we hope that this information has brought some level of insight and will serve as a motivating force in nurturing mental health in our adolescents.
References:
- Adolescent Mental Health: WHO.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail.
- How to Promote Good Mental Health: promisesbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health
Release: TCIG
Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working
in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.
The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.
A breakdown of those on board confirmed:
- 75 males (including two minors)
- 28 females (including two minors)
This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510. The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.
Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.
Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force
TCI News
Invest Turks and Caicos Celebrates a Decade of Innovation and Impact at 4th Annual General Meeting
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 19, 2025 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Agency (Invest TCI) proudly hosted its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the Ritz Carlton, Turks and Caicos, marking a historic milestone, under the theme ‘ Celebrating a Decade of Innovation and Impact’.
The celebratory event brought together government officials, investors, developers, business leaders, and community stakeholders as the
agency reflected on ten years of strategic growth and outlined its vision for the next decade.
The meeting was called to order by Chairlady, Ms. Cindy Ewing, who welcomed the full house with energy and gratitude. She acknowledged the partnerships which have fuelled Invest TCI’s success over its first ten years. In her remarks, she stated, ‘This agency was created with a clear purpose, to attract sustainable investment that would strengthen our economy and open new doors for our people’.
The evening continued with a powerful address from Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick, emphasizing the role of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development as cornerstones of the country’s future. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment, community-driven infrastructure, and balanced growth. Building on that vision, Her Excellency, Acting Governor Anya Williams reflected on how the landscape has shifted from TCI once seeking foreign investors to now being actively pursued. She emphasized that with this new dynamic, growth must remain sustainable, protect the environment, and deliver lasting benefits for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Delivering the agency’s annual performance report, CEO Mrs. Angela Musgrove outlined achievements during the 2024–2025 financial year. These included the first Youth Business Summit, the opening of a new office in Grand Turk, the launch of the Community Pop-Up Series, the approval of the Heritage Turks and Caicos Islander Investment Policy, and advancement of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy. She also reflected on a decade of accomplishments, noting how Invest TCI has expanded its reach, strengthened its impact, and positioned the islands for greater opportunity.
A Ten Years in Review video presentation followed, sparking applause and pride as it highlighted milestones in national development. The film set the stage for an invigorating panel discussion under the theme “The Next Horizon: Catalyzing Economic Development through Investment,” moderated by financial expert Mr. Drexwell Seymour.
The panel featured an extraordinary lineup: Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, former Premiers Hon. Galmo Williams and Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, CEO Mrs. Angela Musgrove, and youth leader Ms. Arielle Neely. The discussion highlighted not only the perspectives of national leaders but also the entrepreneurial achievements of the former Premiers, both of whom have successfully built businesses that continue to contribute to the Turks and Caicos economy. The presence of three seasoned leaders alongside Invest TCI’s chief executive and a dynamic youth voice captivated the audience, underscoring both the depth of experience and the promise of the next generation.
The discussion was focused on how investment can power sustainable growth and resilience in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Key themes included sustainable development, innovation and technology, local business competitiveness, youth integration, and public-private collaboration. Panelists emphasized the need for robust legislative frameworks and compliance, while highlighting human capital development as the cornerstone of future progress. Ms. Neely added a compelling youth perspective, calling for measurable inclusion through Youth Impact data and innovative financing models to ensure young people are active stakeholders in shaping the economy.
As part of the anniversary celebration, Invest TCI also launched the Inaugural Developer Awards, created to recognize developers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive, responsible, and impactful development. The awards spotlighted projects that extended beyond commercial success to deliver meaningful community value.
Two award categories were introduced:
- Sustainability Trailblazer: Recognizing developers who lead in building sustainable legacies through infrastructure, cultural preservation, and enduring community partnerships.
- Community Impact Award: Honouring developers who have made the most visible social contributions through job creation, training, community programs, and philanthropy.
Submissions showcased initiatives such as recycling and composting programs, eliminating single-use plastics, landscaping with indigenous vegetation, and investments in renewable energy. Many also reflected consistent support for local charities, reinforcing the vision of development that uplifts both the economy and the community.
Nominees included The Hartling Group, Sandals Group (Beaches Turks and Caicos), Grace Bay Resorts, Waterloo Investments Holdings Ltd., and JEM TCI Holdings Ltd. (Salterra Resort & Spa). Grace Bay Resorts received the Sustainability Trailblazer Award, while Sandals Group (Beaches Turks and Caicos) was honoured with the Community Impact Award.
Other memorable moments of the evening included two luxury raffle draws and a special recognition presented to Ms. Sheryl McLaughlin for five years of dedicated service to the agency.
The evening concluded with closing remarks from Deputy Chair Mr. Walter Gardiner, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and extended appreciation to the organizers for delivering a successful and memorable celebration.
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Providenciales will come alive this September as the Hair Evolution International Beauty Education Expo & Hair Show takes center stage for two days of creativity, culture, and community impact. Hosted by New Light Entertainment, the highly anticipated event runs from September 26–27, 2025, blending artistry with empowerment while spotlighting some of the region’s brightest talents and industry pioneers.
Day One, set for Friday, September 26 at Graceway Sports Centre, will feature the International Beauty Education Expo, an immersive
program dedicated to skill-building and professional growth. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees can take part in live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions led by international experts. Highlights include the discussion “Where Style Meets Strategy: Elevating Beauty, Business & Wellbeing” featuring renowned panelists such as dermatologist Dr. Marsha Barnett, cosmetologist and educator Dr. Kym Stubbs, Jamaica International Beauty Expo founder Suzette Brown, Toronto-based event producer Keisha Pinto, and educator Orica Smart. Celebrity stylists will also lead specialized trade classes, including a wig installation masterclass taught by Sophia Kay.
The Expo’s mission goes beyond beauty. It provides networking opportunities, showcases local and international vendors, and connects aspiring professionals—particularly youth—with career pathways in the creative industry. Part proceeds will benefit the Cancer Society of the Turks and Caicos Islands, ensuring that the event makes a lasting impact both inside and outside the beauty arena.
On Saturday, September 27, the spotlight shifts to Brayton Hall for the dazzling Main Stage Hair & Fashion Showcases. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the night promises high-energy runway performances, fantasy hair creations, cutting-edge barbering, and striking fashion presentations. Local and international talents will converge, blending artistry with entertainment for an unforgettable show.
The evening will also honor trailblazers who have made extraordinary contributions to the beauty industry. This year’s Hair Evolution Honourees include:
- Commenci Duncan-Hanfield, recipient of the Legacy in Beauty & Community Impact Award, recognized for her lasting influence and service.
- Camille Swann, awarded the Beauty & Influence Trailblazer Award, celebrating her innovative leadership and impact on the industry.
- Fior Rivas, recipient of the Outstanding Service & Industry Impact Award, for her dedication to advancing the beauty profession.
- Dr. Kym Stubbs, honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Beauty & Education Award, for decades of excellence as a cosmetologist and educator.
- Kareem Higgs, receiving the Barbering Legacy & Trailblazer Award, recognizing his contributions to elevating barbering within the community.
Founder and Executive Director Natasha Bien-Aimé expressed her excitement about the show’s return, emphasizing its role as more than entertainment. “Hair Evolution is about celebrating artistry, but also about education, empowerment, and building opportunities for the next generation,” she said.
With its dynamic blend of education, fashion, and recognition, Hair Evolution 2025 promises to inspire, entertain, and uplift. Tickets are available now, with limited space for attendees eager to witness the Caribbean’s premier beauty showcase.
